GPs behind open doors

: A case study during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background and Purpose

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, general practice was in crisis with an increasingly older co-morbid population coupled with the perfect storm of dwindling workforce due to recruitment and retirement. Suddenly in March 2020, general practice faced a further crisis in the form of the COVID-19 pandemic. This brought a seismic shift overnight in how General Practitioners (GPs) provided patient care. This is a case study of how GPs in Northern Ireland adapted and changed their practice during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methodology

GPs were recruited to the study via a restricted Facebook page ‘GP Survival Northern Ireland’ and through snowballing. Eight participants were recruited and interviews occurred remotely via Microsoft Teams or telephone call utilising a semi structured interview template derived from a scoping review of the literature. The data was transcribed and analysed by the research team, using a Case Study approach as described by Crowe et al. Key findings were extracted from the data.

Results

Participants ranged widely in age and geographical location of practices, with list sizes up to 10000 patients. There were three key findings identified from the Case Study: 1. Layers of communication: GPs described communication on multiple levels, using new and not so new ways to update and disseminate information to their staff, colleagues and their patients. 2. Rapid change, practice continues: Despite the rapid change occurring, the normal day to day work of general practice had to carry on; patients’ needs continued to have to be met. 3) Resetting and redefining the work of general practice: general practice has grappled with its own identity using this opportunity to reset and continue to redefine its identity.

Discussion and Conclusions

General practice has changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. There have been several ways in which GPs have had to consider the best way to communicate incorporating new and not so new modes however patient access remains an important element to the tenet of GPs. The element of stress and risk has been brought into sharp focus with GPs having to be cognisant of the increased risk during the COVID-19 pandemic. General practice was evolving pre COVID-19 and continues to evolve. It is unclear as to its exact shape in the future.

Date of Award	Jul 2022
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Queen's University Belfast
Sponsors	Health and Social Care (Northern Ireland) Research and Development & Northern Ireland Medical & Dental Training Agency
Supervisor	Michael Donnelly (Supervisor) & Grainne Kearney (Supervisor)